Broadway showsduring the 1920's were a major attraction. This could be contributed to the rising affluence of society. Some
(5)
research shows that the 1920's were Broadway's busiest years, sometimes with over fifty musicals opening a season(5)! The number of Broadway productions went from 126 in 1917 to 264 in 1928 which still hold the record number of productions(1). Within one week in 1925, four new hit shows opened. These included "No, No Nanette", "The Vagabond King", "Sunny", and "Dearest Enemy"(5). Enormous numbers of people paid the sky rocketed price of $3.50 a seat(5). Most of the shows presented were comedies that kept the peoples spirits up and represented the joyous times of the era.
Top Song's of the 1920's
The Charleston
About the the 1920s Music and Dance Age...
The 1920's were a time of dramatic change, especially for women. Their role in the household and growing roles outside the home came with new appearances and social expectations. In the past, women had to hide their compacts and conceal makeup to blend into their natural features(7).
(http://www.return2style.de)
In the 1920's, this all changed. For the flapper, makeup became a way of expression and was often applied in public, even occasionally at the dinner table. Flappers wore blood red lipstick against very pale white skin, with dark smoky eyes(7). These dramatic styles can be seen in the video on the faces of the two dancers. Along with new makeup style came new hairdo's. The most famous was the bob which was cut halfway between the cheek bone and chin(7). In the video, the hairstyles are short or done up in side buns which were also popular. The costuming is representative of the popular flappers style. Flappers were notorious for their short dresses and high heels. The dresses often had pleats, slits or gathers to allow the flapper to dance and move with ease(4). The men of the 1920's also underwent a fashion revolution. They began to wear skinnier thinner suit jackets and wool caps such as the one seen in the video above. The video above depicts all these characteristics.
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During the roaring twenties, a multitude of different types of music and dance arose. The most well known dance is the Charleston. The above video is a demonstration of the song and dance of the Charleston. The Charleston was known as the social dance of the United States(3). It is characterized by outward heel kicks while bending at the knees in time with the 4/4 rhythm of a song. Common songs to dance the Charleston to include, "Charleston", "Ain't We Got Fun", "Toot Toot Tootsie" and "Yes Sir! That's My Baby"(6). The latter of which can be heard playing on this page. "Charleston" is being played in the video above. The Charleston dance may have become popular in the 1920's but it originated nearly two decades earlier on a small island off the coast of Charleston South Carolina,hence the name, where it was performed by African Americans(6). It debuted to Harlem around 1913 in a stage show and finally hit Broadway in 1923 in the musical "Runnin' Wild"(3). The dance rapidly caught on especially among the flappers who thought of it as way to express their freedoms and individuality. Below is a description of the steps to the Charleston.
(http://nfo.net)
Learn the Charleston!
Feet:
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Place your feet together
With your right foot step back
Kick back with your left foot
Step forward with your left foot to beginning position
With your right foot kick forward
Return to beginning position and repeat
Arms:
Hold your arms out and bend at the elbows, point hands up
Swing your arms from elbows to right and then to left
The Miscellaneous Page
A 1920s inspired Flower Show!
Musicals
Top Song's of the 1920's
The Charleston
About the the 1920s Music and Dance Age...
The 1920's were a time of dramatic change, especially for women. Their role in the household and growing roles outside the home came with new appearances and social expectations. In the past, women had to hide their compacts and conceal makeup to blend into their natural features(7).
Learn the Charleston!
Feet:- Place your feet together
- With your right foot step back
- Kick back with your left foot
- Step forward with your left foot to beginning position
- With your right foot kick forward
- Return to beginning position and repeat
Arms:Works Consulted
(1)"1920's Music." 2005. 1920-30.Com. 27 Feb. 2008 <http://www.1920-30.com/music/>.
(2)"Broadway Milestones." PBS. 2004. 29 Feb. 2008 <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/milestones/1921.html#>.
(3)"Charleston Dance." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2007. Columbia Encyclopedia P. 29 Feb. 2008 <http://www.bartleby.com/br/65.html>.
(4)Jaeger, Dawn. "Fashion, Style, Women." The 1920's. July 2002. South Dakota Department of Education. 27 Feb. 2008 <http://doe.sd.gov/octa/ddn4learning/themeunits/1920s/style.htm>.
(5)Kenrick, John. "History of the Musical Stage." 2003. 4 Mar. 2008 <http://www.musicals101.com/1920bway.htm>.
(6)Paula. "Charleston Dance." Roaring Twenties. 28 Feb. 2008 <http://www.vintageperiods.com/charleston.php>.
(7)"Roaring 20s Fads and Trend in Makeup and Hair Styling." Free Beauty Tips. 2005. 24 Feb. 2008 <http://www.freebeautytips.org/1920s-hair-makeup.html>.